Yo Gotti, born May 19, 1981, is an American rapper, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur from Memphis, Tennessee. His real name is Mario Sentell Giden Mims.
He founded Collective Music Group (CMG) and became the first artist from Memphis to build a $100 million empire, confirmed by Forbes in February 2024.
Who is Yo Gotti?
Yo Gotti, born Mario Sentell Giden Mims, is an American rapper and entrepreneur from Memphis, Tennessee. He built his career across more than three decades, starting with underground cassettes in the 1990s and eventually reaching mainstream success with multi-platinum singles and Top Ten Billboard 200 albums.
His Wikipedia profile documents a discography spanning more than ten studio albums and numerous mixtapes, alongside his role as founder and CEO of Collective Music Group.
He founded CMG, one of the most successful independent rap labels in the United States.
Beyond music, Gotti owns a stake in Major League Soccer’s D.C. United and operates the restaurant Prive in Memphis. In February 2024, Forbes confirmed his net worth at $100 million, marking him as one of hip-hop’s most successful businessman-rappers.
He is the cousin of Brandon Mims, who serves as CMG’s current president.
Early Life of Yo Gotti
Yo Gotti was born on May 19, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the Ridge Crest housing projects in North Memphis, one of the city’s most crime-affected neighborhoods.
His family members, including parents, uncles, and aunts, were involved in street hustling from early in his life. A police raid in his early childhood led to arrests within his family, pushing him toward the streets and eventually toward music as an outlet.
He started rapping at age 14 in Memphis during the early 1990s.
By 1996, at age 15, he released his first cassette titled Youngsta’s On a Come Up under the alias Lil Yo, distributing copies from his car along with selling them in his neighborhood. The cassette became a local hit and launched his reputation in the Memphis rap scene.
Yo Gotti Age
Yo Gotti is 45 years old as of June 13, 2026, born on May 19, 1981.
His zodiac sign is Taurus.
In February 2024, Forbes published a major profile confirming his net worth at $100 million, recognizing his status as one of hip-hop’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Yo Gotti Ethnicity and Nationality
Yo Gotti holds American nationality, born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee.
His ethnic background is Black American, with family roots in Memphis and a background shaped by the culture and community of North Memphis’s housing projects.
He has spoken publicly about how his upbringing in Ridge Crest shaped his music, business instincts, and drive to succeed outside the circumstances he grew up in.
Yo Gotti Height and Weight
Yo Gotti stands at 5 feet 7 inches, which equals approximately 1.70 meters.
His weight is reported at approximately 72 kg, which is around 159 lbs.
His stage presence combines a calm, composed delivery with an intensity rooted in his Memphis street roots, a combination that has defined his performance style throughout his career.
Yo Gotti Musical Style and Influences
Yo Gotti’s style draws from both Southern and non-Southern hip-hop traditions. His primary influences include Master P, Dr. Dre, and Tupac Shakur, whose approaches to storytelling and hustle informed his earliest recordings.
His music centers on themes of street life, self-made success, loyalty, and Memphis culture. He blends Southern trap production with direct, narrative-driven lyrics drawn from his own experience growing up in Ridge Crest.
Over time, he expanded his sound to include radio-friendly hooks while maintaining lyrical themes consistent with his upbringing.
Yo Gotti Career
Early Independent Career
After local success with his 1996 debut cassette, Yo Gotti continued releasing underground material under the name Lil Yo throughout the late 1990s. He changed his stage name to Yo Gotti with the 1999 release From da Dope Game 2 da Rap Game.
Between 2000 and 2006, he released a string of independent albums including Self Explanatory, Life, and Back 2 da Basics. His 2006 album Back 2 da Basics reached the Top Ten of Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, his first significant chart success after a decade of grinding.
In 2009, Gotti founded his record label, originally called Cocaine Muzik Group, which he later renamed Collective Music Group.
Breakthrough: Live from the Kitchen and I Am
In 2012, Yo Gotti released his major label debut Live from the Kitchen through RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, selling over 16,000 copies in its first week, and peaked at number 4 on the US Rap chart.
He departed RCA later in 2012 and signed a distribution deal with Epic Records in 2013. That year’s follow-up, I Am, debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 and became his first release through CMG as an officially distributed label.
I Am included the gold singles “Act Right” and “I Know,” marking his transition into consistent mainstream success.
Major Albums and Hit Singles
In 2015, Yo Gotti released “Down in the DM,” which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned double-platinum certification from the RIAA. The song included a reference to Angela Simmons that became one of the most discussed lines in his catalog.
In 2016, he released The Art of Hustle, which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.
In 2017, he released I Still Am, which debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200. The lead single “Rake It Up,” featuring Nicki Minaj and produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned triple-platinum certification.
He also signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation around this period, giving his releases additional label support.
Recent Work and Business Expansion
In 2020, Yo Gotti released Untrapped, which continued his streak of Top Ten Billboard 200 entries. In 2022, he dropped CM10: Free Game, again reaching the Top Ten of the Billboard 200.
In September 2021, he joined the ownership group of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United as a minority owner. He said his son introduced him to soccer, which led to the investment.
He also takes business classes at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, focusing on corporate valuation.
In 2023, he released music videos featuring Angela Simmons, including “The One,” which was shot in Dubai and Greece. He continues to grow CMG and manage his broader business portfolio.
Yo Gotti Discography
Selected studio albums include:
- Youngsta’s On a Come Up (1996, as Lil Yo)
- From da Dope Game 2 da Rap Game (1999)
- Self Explanatory (2001)
- Life (2003)
- Back 2 da Basics (2006)
- Live from the Kitchen (2012)
- I Am (2013)
- The Art of Hustle (2016)
- I Still Am (2017)
- Untrapped (2020)
- CM10: Free Game (2022)
Yo Gotti Awards and Recognition
Yo Gotti has earned multiple RIAA certifications across his discography. His single “Rake It Up” with Nicki Minaj achieved triple-platinum certification and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Down in the DM” earned double-platinum certification.
His album I Still Am earned a gold certification from the RIAA, and several of his other albums also received gold certifications. His consistent Billboard 200 Top Ten placement across multiple releases reflects sustained commercial success over more than a decade.
In February 2024, Forbes documented his $100 million net worth, placing him among the wealthiest figures in hip-hop.
Yo Gotti Girlfriend
Yo Gotti and Angela Simmons, daughter of Rev Run of Run-DMC, confirmed their relationship via social media in January 2023. Their connection had roots in his 2015 hit “Down in the DM,” in which he named her publicly as his longtime crush.
The couple went public in January 2023 and Gotti featured Simmons in his 2023 music video “The One,” which was filmed on location in Dubai and Greece.
Their relationship has generated wide media coverage since its confirmation, given Gotti’s unusually public seven-year pursuit through his music.
Yo Gotti Net Worth
Yo Gotti’s estimated net worth is $100 million as of 2026. Forbes confirmed this figure in February 2024, citing his music career, CMG record label, real estate investments, restaurant ownership, and his minority stake in D.C. United.
CMG’s roster includes Moneybagg Yo, GloRilla, Blac Youngsta, EST Gee, and 42 Dugg, making it one of the most commercially successful independent rap labels in the United States. The label’s success has produced significant revenue for Gotti as its founder and CEO.
His real estate portfolio includes properties across the country, and in June 2021, he purchased a mansion in Westlake Village, California, for $7.6 million. He has described his overall wealth as exceeding nine figures, a figure he says he manifested through years of disciplined hustle.
Yo Gotti Social Media
Yo Gotti is active on Instagram and TikTok, using both platforms to promote his music, CMG artists, and personal milestones. On Instagram, he posts under @yogotti, sharing updates on his music releases, business ventures, and personal life including his relationship with Angela Simmons.
His TikTok handle is also @yogotti, where he posts short-form content tied to his music and daily activities. His official website is officialyogotti.com, which serves as a hub for tour dates, music, and merchandise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yo Gotti’s net worth?
Yo Gotti’s estimated net worth is $100 million as of 2026, confirmed by Forbes in February 2024, built through music, CMG Records, real estate, and sports ownership.
How old is Yo Gotti?
Yo Gotti is 45 years old as of June 13, 2026, born on May 19, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Who is Yo Gotti married to or dating?
Yo Gotti is dating Angela Simmons, daughter of Rev Run of Run-DMC. The couple confirmed their relationship via social media in January 2023.
What is Yo Gotti’s biggest hit song?
His biggest charting single is “Rake It Up” (2017) featuring Nicki Minaj, which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned triple-platinum certification from the RIAA.
Where was Yo Gotti born?
Yo Gotti was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in the Ridge Crest housing projects in North Memphis.
What is Yo Gotti famous for?
He is best known as a Memphis rapper and as the founder of Collective Music Group (CMG), whose artists include Moneybagg Yo, GloRilla, and EST Gee. His hit singles include “Down in the DM,” “Rake It Up,” and “Put a Date on It.”
The Bottom Line
Yo Gotti released his triple-platinum single “Rake It Up” in 2017 with Nicki Minaj, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and followed it with a string of Top Ten Billboard 200 albums. Forbes confirmed his net worth at $100 million in February 2024, placing him among hip-hop’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
He grew up in the Ridge Crest housing projects of North Memphis, started rapping at 14, and distributed his debut cassette from his car at age 15. That foundation of self-reliance shaped both his music and his approach to building CMG into one of the most successful rap labels in the United States.
As of 2026, he continues to release music, manage CMG’s growing roster of artists, and expand his business portfolio, including his minority stake in D.C. United. His relationship with Angela Simmons, which he publicly foreshadowed in “Down in the DM” back in 2015, was confirmed in January 2023.
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